Rosalind didn’t react or respond. It wasn’t as if Lady Jillian needed to remind her of her place. She was well aware of what it was. And, if Noah’s family did not approve of his desire to marry her, then the nursery is where she would remain for the rest of her life.
“In truth, I expect the entire Valentine family to visit.” Noah looked to Lady Jillian with a raised eyebrow. “I understand everyone will be returning for Christmas, and we will celebrate as we have in the past. So, I doubt my sister would allow Miss Valentine to remain above stairs.”
Lady Jillian blanched. “They will be visiting while Broadridge and I are?”
“I hope that is the case,” Noah smiled. “You do wish to meet my family’s closest friends, do you not?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Of course.”
At the conclusion of breakfast, Rosalind rose and exited the inn pleased with how unhappy Lady Jillian was with Rosalind’s continued presence.
Penelope rushed to catch up with her just as they reached the carriage.
“You aren’t riding with your bother today?” Rosalind asked.
“I can’t and beg you not to make me.”
A footman opened the door, and the ladies entered followed by Demetrius who took a seat across from the two of them.
As the carriage pulled onto the road, Penelope began to giggle. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a lady so jealous before.”
Rosalind slid her a look. “I don’t understand.”
Penelope turned toward her. “Surely you can see that Lady Jillian is jealous of you. She must know that my brother prefers you to her.”
“She believes they will wed,” Demetrius reminded Penelope. “It doesn’t matter what Felding may feel.”
His eyes met Rosalind’s.
“I am not sure it is so much jealous as dislike,” Rosalind said. “In fact, I believe she wished the entire Valentine family would disappear.”
“I don’t understand,” Penelope looked from sister to brother and back again. Demetrius continued to watch Rosalind as if waiting.
Rosalind turned to Penelope. Now was as good as any to tell her. “Did you learn what Lady Jillian is blackmailing Lord Felding with?”
Penelope shook her head.
“Then I shall tell you.” And she did. Penelope said nothing as Rosalind shared her sordid past though her eyes grew wide on occasion. “So, as you can see, if Felding cannot find a way to break form Lady Jillian without the truth being told, he will marry her.”
Penelope grasped Rosalind’s hand. “That is why you went to see Noah after you thought I was asleep?”
Demetrius sat forward. “You went to Felding’s room in the middle of the night?” he demanded.
Rosalind dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Surely neither would ever suspect what truly happened. “Yes. I told him that I would tell the world of the Valentine family before I would allow him to marry her and be miserable.”
“Is that what you plan to do? Did the two of you reached an agreement?”
Rosalind sighed. “He wants to see if he can discourage Lady Jillian first, but I assured him that if he was not successful, I would see that she had no power.”
Penelope fell back against the squabs. “I am rather disappointed,” she said after a moment.
Rosalind wasn’t sure what Penelope meant and was afraid to ask.
“I had hoped you went to his room for an assignation.” She quickly glanced at Demetrius who glowered at her. “I hoped the two of you would come to a more permanent agreement, and Lady Jillian would be out of our lives forever.”
“Surely you can see that is not possible now,” Rosalind said and tried to ignore the stab of disappointment of not being able to have Noah forever. Despite his insistence last night, she would not let his family be linked to her shame. The remaining unwed daughters could be ruined by the association and she would not allow it.
“Why not?”
“Did you not listen? I am the bastard child of a whore. Your brother requires a lady as his wife.”
Penelope stiffened. “Is that what he told you?” She glanced around. “I will smack him so hard he won’t see straight for days. Of all the pigheaded. . .”
“He said no such thing,” Rosalind interrupted Penelope’s tirade. “You really wouldn’t care if he married me?”
“Of course not,” Penelope said rather affronted.
“The truth of our family will be learned one day,” Demetrius pointed out. “It would reflect poorly on your family.”
Penelope rolled her eyes. “We’ve never much cared what others think of us, and I don’t believe it will ever be a concern.”
Rosalind simply stared at her. Would the rest of Felding’s family feel the same? Could they be together?
She squelched the thought before hope had time to bloom in her chest. She would not set herself up for disappointment and heartache and instead concentrated on freeing Felding from Lady Jillian.
* * *
Noah settled back against the squabs and folded his arms across his chest. With any luck, he would sleep all the way to the estate.
He closed his eyes as the coach pulled forward.
“You aren’t going to sleep are you?” Lady Jillian demanded.
Noah opened one eye and looked at her. “That had been my intention since I didn’t sleep much last night.”
“Those beds were uncomfortable,” Broadridge agreed and situated himself in the opposite corner reclining much as Noah was.
Lady Jillian gasped. “You are both going to sleep? Who will keep me company?”
“Read a book,” Broadridge suggested and closed his eyes. Noah did not like the gentleman, nor could he trust him, but he did appreciate the way the man put his sister in her place though Noah wished he would do so more often.
A few moments later the coach rolled to a stop. Noah opened his eyes and glanced out the window to find they were indeed in front of his manor. He had slept the entire trip. He had hoped that would be the case but hadn’t thought it would actually happen. Then again, he was exhausted as he had not slept at all the night before. Rosalind had stayed with him until shortly before sunrise. He had dressed and walked her to her room and saw no reason to return to bed.
He stepped down and offered a hand to Lady Jillian. She placed a dainty foot onto the cobbled drive and looked up; a pleased smile formed on her lips. “This is a lovely home, Lord Felding.”
Noah inclined his head. “Thank you.” As much as she may wish it, Lady Jillian would never be mistress of his manor.
The next carriage pulled up, and a footman rushed to open the door. Penelope emerged first. “It is good to be home,” she sighed.
Miss Valentine followed with a sleepy smile on her lips.
Demetrius stepped out and stretched. Had he slept as well? “Could you have a servant deliver my trunk?” he called over to Noah.
“The carriage can return you home.”
He shook his head. “I would like to stretch my legs.”
“Aren’t you coming in for tea?” Penelope asked.
“As much as I would like to visit with your family, I would like to see my own first.”
“Perhaps Miss Valentine should go with you,” Lady Jillian suggested. “I am sure it has been weeks, if not months, since she has visited with her family.”
Longing sparked in Rosalind’s eyes, but Noah couldn’t allow her to be away just now. Besides, if all worked as he intended, Rosalind would be residing next door to her family for the rest of her life.
“I really should see to the children,” Rosalind turned to Demetrius. “Tell aunt and uncle that I will be by as soon as I have the opportunity.”
He nodded and started across the lawn, not yet covered in snow, toward the trees that separate their homes.
Lady Jillian grasped Noah’s arm and beamed up at him. “Shall we?”
He bit back a groan and led her into the house.
Broadridge offered Penelope his arm and followed
Noah and Lady Jillian inside. Noah suspected Rosalind followed at the back.
He clenched his teeth in irritation. It was Rosalind he wanted to escort into the sitting room and announce to his family that she would be his bride not introduce them to Lady Jillian who still believed it would be her role to fill.
“Noah, you’ve returned,” his step-mother, Victoria, said from her place on the settee. It was good to see that Victoria gathered with the family. For nearly two years, she barely left her chamber after the accident that took her husband and Noah’s father. When Phoebe delivered her twins, Victoria emerged more often and even traveled to the Sandlin estate when she could though Noah doubted Victoria would ever return to London.
Noah glanced about the room. Phoebe, Patience, and Phillipa were seated, and Sandlin lounged against the fireplace. He frowned at the sight of Lady Jillian. Had Phoebe told Sandlin of his plans? Or, had Penelope written to Phoebe? Beside Victoria, on the floor, the twins played with toys, and Noah smiled for the first time since exiting the carriage.
“Miss Valentine,” he called and turned, but Rosalind had disappeared.
“She went upstairs as soon as she entered,” Penelope advised.
She would be back shortly when she couldn’t find the twins, and Noah turned to introduce Lady Jillian and Lord Broadridge to his family. “They will be visiting for a few days, Victoria. Could you ask a maid to make up two rooms?”
“Of course, Noah.” She glanced past Noah and into the hall and frowned before focusing back on Lady Jillian and Broadridge. “Please, join us for tea.”
Noah led Lady Jillian to an empty chair then crossed the room to stand beside Sandlin. The man gave him a questioning look, and Noah leaned over. “As soon as the niceties are over, the two of us will retire to the library.”
Sandlin nodded and returned his attention to the others in the room. Broadridge had taken the seat next to Lady Jillian, and the two were engaged in polite conversation with Noah’s family. A maid entered with a tea tray, followed by Rosalind. Noah’s mood lightened at the sight of her.
“Excuse me, Lady Sandlin, but where might the children …” she broke off when she saw the twins playing at Victoria’s feet.
“Ah, there they are.” She glided to the sitting area and bent over the two ruffling their hair. “If you would like, I can take them to the nursery.”
“Don’t you dare, Rosalind Valentine,” Victoria insisted. “My grandchildren just arrived, and I will not allow them to leave.”
Rosalind quickly curtseyed. “Of course, my lady.”
“Do sit down, Rosalind. I am sure you could use a cup of tea after you journey. I can’t wait for you and Penelope to tell me all about the house party.”
Lady Jillian straightened, and her eyes grew wide as Rosalind thanked Victoria for the invitation and settled beside Phillipa on the couch.
Noah was hard pressed not to laugh at the look of utter shock on Lady Jillian’s face.
As Penelope was telling her mother and sisters about the snowball fight, Lady Jillian rose from her seat and sashayed over to Noah. “Your servants take tea with the family?” she asked with disapproval.
Noah could see Sandlin above Lady Jillian’s head, and his eyes narrowed with distrust and dislike.
“You have forgotten that Miss Valentine and her family are close friends of ours and were long before she became the Sandlin’s nursery maid.”
Lady Jillian sniffed. “It is not right,” she hissed.
“There are many things about this situation that are not right, Lady Jillian.” Noah turned to face her. “And Miss Valentine taking tea with my family is not one of them.”
“You still believe that after learning the truth?” she demanded in a hushed tone.
“More so than ever.” He offered his arm, “Shall we return to the gathering?”
“I think I would like to go to my room and rest before dinner.”
Noah escorted her into the hall and asked a maid to show Lady Jillian to her chamber. With any luck, he would not see her before dinner.
Broadridge was exiting as Noah returned. “I believe I will rest as well.”
Noah nodded to a footman. “Please direct Lord Broadridge to his room.”
The young man nodded and gestured toward the stairs.
Noah returned to the sitting room. Everyone watched him with interest and questions in their eyes. He closed the door, leaned back against it, and sighed.
The only person not watching him was Phillipa. She was staring off into space, forehead creased with thought, and her lips pursed.
Noah sauntered over to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of brandy.
“Lady Jillian is familiar to me,” Phillipa said after a moment.
“You’ve never met her,” Patience said.
“Yes, I know,” Phillipa focused on the others. “I am sure I will remember in time.” She shook her head. “Tell us, Noah, why did you bring her here?”
He glanced around the room, and then he focused on Rosalind who watched him intently. Noah took a deep drink and swallowed; the liquid burnt a path down his throat. “Lady Jillian is attempting to blackmail me into marrying her, and I have yet to find a way out of this predicament.”
Thirty-Two
Rosalind couldn’t be in the room when Noah explained the details. Penelope may have said she would accept the marriage, but that didn’t mean the rest of them did. This family had been a part of her life, the best friends she had known, and Lord Sandlin was now her employer. Rosalind feared that the family would convince Noah it was best that they not wed, and worse, that Lord Sandlin may decide she should not be in charge of his children. She would be without employment again, and this time there would be no family connection which she could use to gain a position in another household. Her stomach tightened, and Rosalind feared she might become ill.
When the family learned, what would they do, and how would they treat the rest of the Valentines? Would they feel betrayed? Insist her uncle give up his parish? Noah may feel different and wish to protect them, but that didn’t mean Sandlin, Noah’s sisters, and step-mother wouldn’t convince Noah to see the reason in distancing themselves from the family. It was what those in society did. Even when one of their own stepped out of the bounds of propriety, they turned their backs. That was exactly as it had happened to her mother.
Would her entire family have to move? Would they remain mum about the circumstances, or would Demetrius and Benedick be ruined as well? And what of the others? Orlando was a physician, Mercutio a pugilist, Petrucio an actor who had traveled throughout England and on the Continent, while Bertram was a foot soldier. She may have been brave in telling Noah that she would reveal their secret before she allowed Lady Jillian to do so, but Rosalind wasn’t feeling so brave at the moment. Could she destroy her family to save the man she loved, and was it right to do so?
What had she been thinking? She didn’t belong with Noah. He deserved a lady who knew who her father was.
Her throat was closing as panic settled in, and she quickly stood. “Why don’t I take the twins to the nursery while Lord Felding explains?” She tried to smile at Lady Felding. “I promise to return them when he is finished.”
“You are not leaving, Rosalind,” Noah said calmly.
“I really shouldn’t be here.” Her voice practically squeaked because her throat was so tight. Surely he knew how uncomfortable this discussion was going to be for her.
“Yes, you should.”
Rosalind wanted to beg him not to make her a part of this. She didn’t want to be in the same room with a family she admired and respected while the ugliness of her past was set before them.
Penelope reached out and grabbed her hand. “Please sit, Rosalind,” she said reassuringly. “We are not your enemy. We are your friends.”
Rosalind took a deep breath and sighed. She only prayed it was true and the rest of them didn’t hate her when Noah was finished.
“What is this about blackmail?
” Lady Felding demanded.
Noah strode further into the room, and Sandlin pulled away from the fireplace to stand behind his wife.
“Lady Jillian knows some secrets about the Valentine family. She told me that if I did not marry her, she would let everyone know the truth.”
Lady Felding blanched and brought a hand to her mouth. Surely she didn’t suspect, did she?
“I don’t understand why she would use the Valentines as her means to an end?” Lady Sandlin questioned.
Noah looked at Rosalind. The love in his eyes almost brought tears to her own. “Because she suspected I had fallen in love with Rosalind,” he smiled gently. “She informed me of the damaging information after I informed Lady Jillian that we would not suit.”
“I don’t understand. What could possibly be so damaging?” Patience asked.
Rosalind bit her upper lip and looked to her lap. She could not watch them as the truth was revealed. Penelope squeezed her hand, and Noah explained the family history and the circumstances of her birth.
When he was finished, silence followed. Rosalind didn’t know what they were thinking. She feared looking to find hatred or betrayal.
“I’m sorry your secrets have been revealed, dear,” Lady Felding said. “My husband and I worried that this day might arrive.”
Rosalind looked up to find Lady Felding watching her with sadness and warmth. “You knew?”
She simply nodded. “Yes, for a very long time.”
She blinked at Lady Felding. “How?”
“Your uncle told my husband a few years after your family took up residence in the vicarage. He feared what would become of the ten of you if something happened to him or his wife.”
“Yet you still let your children play with us?” Rosalind stated in awe.
Lady Felding laughed. “You were only children and had no control over the circumstances of your birth.” She glanced to her step-son. “Besides, Noah needed male companions before his sisters drove him to madness.”
“A playmate for a child is one thing. A wife is an entirely different matter.” Rosalind said, not confident they would have Lady Felding’s blessing.
His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time) Page 24